New Haven Register (New Haven, CT)
Shubert Theatre announces 2019-20 lineup
NEW HAVEN — Three recent hit musicals and some sturdy chestnuts comprise the Shubert Theatre’s 2019-20 Broadway Series of shows, announced at a special event/performance in the century-old theater Monday evening.
The three newer musicals — all arriving at the Shubert in May and June 2020 — are “Waitress” (coming to the Bushnell in Hartford this June), “Bandstand” (from Tony Awardwinner and “Hamilton” choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler) and 1940s-set “Once On This Island,” the Tony Award-winner for Best Revival of a Musical last year.
The 105th Shubert season begins with a perennial in the area, “Jersey Boys,” the Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons story that will visit the College Street theater from Oct. 11-13. After that, from Nov. 9-10, will come the slapstick, madcap murder mysters “The Play That Goes Wrong” (which played Hartford earlier this season).
In November, the 20th aniversary tour production of “Rent” comes in for three days and in December “The Illusionists” will make magic from Dec. 20-22. A second family-friendly offering will be “Cats” from March 5-8, officials announced. And Ireland-set, Tony-winning Best Musical “Once” will return to the Shubert’s legendary stage (after a 2016 engagement) March 26-29.
Like “Once,” the female-created “Waitress” was inspired by a popular film; it features music and lyrics by Sra Bareilles.
The Monday fund-raiser featured a live auction and performances by Noah J. Ricketts (Kristoff in Disney’s “Frozen the Musical” on Broadway), Kimber Sprawl (Broadway productions of “Beautiful” and “A Bronx Tale”) and Julian Decker (Broadway production of “Les Miserables”).
Shubert officials said season ticket-holders have the benefit of creating their own “Broadway Series Package” by choosing a minimum of four shows from the Shubert’s Broadway Series, and will have the opportunity to purchase additional show offerings before the general public.
The Shubert Box Office is at 203-562-5666 or 888-7362663.